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Photo from Mail Tribune files The late-game heroics of North's Jeff Zimmer, right, are a big reason the Tornado is 11-0 in the SOC. Zimmer's proven he's a winner North senior guard comes through in clutch By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN At crunch time, he's been the pinpoint shooter with the fearless attitude. North Medford senior Jeff Zimmer, a point guard when the Black Tornado needs precise ball-handling and a shooting guard when it needs offensive firepower, admits he yearns for the the ball at the end of close games. When he's received it, he's delivered like he did during his boyhood days as a newspaper carrier -- on time, time after time. As a result, North is ranked eighth in the state and has won all 11 of its Southern Oregon Conference games. "I want the ball on big possessions," says Zimmer, who conjured his latest magic Friday in front of a near-capacity crowd at Grants Pass when he gunned in a 22-foot jump shot as time ran out in overtime to give North a 72-69 victory. "I knew it was in," he says. "I wanted to take that shot. I dribbled up with my head down. I had guys open on the wings, but I wanted to take it. I knew I'd make it." That win and a 59-52 win over Eagle Point Saturday has propelled the Tornado to within a game of clinching its first outright SOC title since 1993. North Medford (16-3 overall) can secure that title with a win at second-place Roseburg at 7 tonight. Zimmer's penchant for knocking down game-winning shots has been anything but accidental. First-year North coach Gene Quilhaugh has given Zimmer and the other perimeter players the freedom to launch shots without fear. "He's really changed things around here," says Zimmer, who averages 16.2 points in all games and 14.7 in the SOC. "He's fun to play for and work hard for. He gives you the confidence to shoot, and as a result, none of us hesitate." Zimmer, who shoots 44.7 percent from 3-point range, 54.5 percent total from the field and 80 percent at the free-throw line, has almost always been the best shooter on his teams. The exception was his first year or two of YMCA ball, when he played center. "I had an early growing spurt," he says. "I was taller than most players, and we pounded the ball into me. That was kind of fun, but I like being an outside shooter best." Zimmer says he's had plenty of help from his teammates and coaches. "We have five all-stars, as far as I'm concerned," he says. "When we get out there, we are five guys playing together. "That's our system. I love it. I like the freedom coach Q gives us. But we work hard to prepare and then we play harder than anybody else." Zimmer, 18, a devout Mormon, says he gains strength and confidence from his religion, on and off the court. "God has given me a lot of talent," says Zimmer, who carries a 3.6 grade-point average. "I just hope I can use it right in my life." Because of his faith, Zimmer plans to attend Ricks College. The small school in Rexburg, Idaho, is funded primarily by the Mormon church. He's also not ruling out other options. "I'd like to go there and play, but I'm open to anything as long as a school can give me some scholarship money," says Zimmer. ``I want to go to a school where I can start right off playing. I don't want to sit and wait." Quilhaugh hopes Zimmer, and a few other senior players on his team, will get to play in three of four state tournament games to allow college coaches a chance to see them. "We weren't expected to win the league championship, and few college coaches have yet to see our talent," says Quilhaugh. "Once these coaches see Jeff, they will like him." Zimmer isn't just a shooter. He's No. 3 on the team in rebounding (4.9 per game) and leads the team in steals (2.8 per game) and assists (5.4). What stands out, however, are the late heroics. It was Zimmer who hit a 3-point shot in the final seconds of overtime to send North's SOC game at Crater into overtime four weeks ago. Quilhaugh says he designed a special play for Zimmer to come around a screen and shoot the potential game-tying 3-pointer. "He knew what had to be done and he went out and did it for his team," says Quilhaugh. "He's definitely made some big shots." Which is one reason North itself is a big shot. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.